Former England batsman Nick Compton questioned Team India’s continual chopping and changing, citing KL Rahul as one example, ahead of the important fifth Test at the Oval, which begins on July 31. Despite a valiant effort to tie the fourth Test in Manchester, the visitors trail the five-match series 1-2.
India has struggled in the red-ball format over the last year, losing their previous two series against New Zealand and Australia by 0-3 and 1-3, respectively.
In an interview with Revsportz prior of the series finale, Compton expressed surprise at India’s player inconsistencies, as well as how even a veteran like Rahul bats in various spots on a regular basis.
“Look at England. Root is always No. 4, the openers are settled. In India, Gill plays at No. 3, then someone else, then he comes back. It’s hard for players to find rhythm or confidence. Same with KL Rahul in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – he was shuffled around a lot, and that’s bound to affect a player’s performance. I’m not making excuses – Rahul has underperformed at times.”
Nick Compton
Compton added:
“But he’s clearly a talented player. Some players just mature later. I think he’s now beginning to figure out his Test game. And with players like Karun Nair, I felt India moved on too quickly. England wouldn’t have dropped someone like that as quickly. Sai Sudharsan is a promising player, no doubt. But again, consistency in selection builds trust and confidence.”
Nick Compton
KL Rahul batted at number six in the home series against New Zealand before the Australian tour last year. However, he opened the batting in the first three Tests against Australia before dropping to No. 3 for the fourth Test.
The 33-year-old has opened the batting in all four Tests in the England series, scoring 511 runs at an average of 63.87, including two hundreds.
“Kuldeep could be that wildcard” – Nick Compton
Nick Compton believes Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm spinner, might be India’s wildcard in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. The 30-year-old has not played in any of India’s first four Tests, as the team prioritizes batting depth in the lower order.
“Kuldeep gives them variety. You’ve got Jadeja, then the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep. Even if England have mostly seen him in white-ball formats, red ball is different. Kuldeep could be that wildcard,” said Compton (via the aforementioned source).
Kuldeep Yadav also has a fine Test record (56 wickets at 22.16 in six internationals, with four five-wicket hauls). He has been on 13 Tests only since 2017.
